UNCSA STAFF COUNCIL

Minutes of February 18, 2016

Representatives present: Laurel Banks, Karyl Caouette, Christina Dowell, Steve Gallagher, Mary Graves, Leslie Kamtman, Marissa McCullough, Whitney McLaughlin, Mitsy McNeil, Jamie Moore, Robin O’Neal, Mary Pennington, Patsy Seiler, Christia Thomason, Lauren Whitaker, Darren Chiott (alternate), Christa Keen (alternate), Scott Russell (alternate), Nita Mixaykham (ex officio)

Representatives absent:Kay Bosworth, Krista Johnson, Nick Johnson, Clark Kiger, Sarah Lawrence, Kathi Rainwater, Ramona Richmond

Guests: James Lucas

Quorum: Mary Graves confirmed the quorum.

Approval of Minutes: Minutes of the January 14, 2016 meeting were approved.

Chair’s Report

Chair Leslie Kamtman welcomed several new employees, and mentioned that refreshments were offered in their honor. (At the conclusion of the meeting, Mary Graves presented the new employees with UNCSA logo mugs as a welcome gift.)

In preparation for the SACS reaccreditation visit March 1-3, a pocket-sized “cheat sheet” was created to help everyone communicate about the Quality Enhancement Plan. Representatives were asked to distribute the cheat sheets in their districts.

Leslie reported that committees formed for the Strategic Plan are meeting and working on goals. Jamie Moore is the Staff Council representative for the committee that is working on a campus master plan.

Plans are progressing to establish a campus ombudsperson position, with the Faculty Welfare Committee driving the project. It will be a part-time position, most likely to be filled by someone outside the university, hopefully to be in place for the 2016-17 school year. Those working on the project include Leslie, David English, James Lucas, Paul Sharpe, David Harrison and Michael Rothkopf.

Awards season approaches. Leslie reported that the deadline for the Governor’s Award for Excellence is April 29, as announced in the Human Resources e-newsletter. Information regarding the Staff Council awards for professional excellence and community service will be sent in March.

Upcoming events include:

  • Week of Giving – April 4-10
  • Employee Appreciation Day – Week of April 11-15
  • Celebration of Excellence (awards day) – April 27 (tentative)

Leslie recognized past chair Patsy Seiler on her last day of employment at UNCSA. Patsy has chosen a new career path. Leslie thanked her for her service to the Staff Council and presented her with gifts.

Staff Assembly Report

Leslie mentioned that the proposal by the State Health Plan to drop spousal coverage and the 80/20 option were both taken off the table and are no longer under consideration at this time. Matt Brody from General Administration advocated for UNC employees to have the proposals dropped.

General Administration has developed a system-wide adverse weather policy, parts of which are problematic and seemingly unfair. Leslie mentioned we are not the only campus having issues. James Lucas reported General Administration did not approve of our campus closure on Jan. 22, and that he and Chancellor Bierman had been negotiating on our behalf, but the position of GA is that campuses will not close due to snow and ice. Operations may be delayed or suspended, but employees have to make up the time or use personal leave or comp time.

Patsy Seiler read a letter from interim president Junius Gonzales responding the Staff Assembly’s letter regarding staff pay raises.

Human Resources Updates

James Lucas reported that the Chancellor’s Cabinet is developing a new compensation model for the campus, and is looking at every employee in terms of salary, length of service, and evaluations. He said that many employees are below 50 percent of market value for their positions.

HR staff is training on the new performance management (work plans and evaluations) instrument that will be implemented soon. The new cycle for performance management will be June through May for SHRA and July through June for EHRA (not ending in March as previously planned). For the first phase, work plans must be in place by Oct. 31, and mandatory training on that will be provided for supervisors and employees during the spring and summer.

Committee Reports

Membership & Elections: Sarah Lawrence was appointed interim secretary/treasurer until elections in the summer. Krista Johnson has moved from alternate to representative in District 1 and Erin Baker is the new alternate for District 1. Russell Scott is a new alternate for District 8.

The following new employees were welcomed: Doug Anders, Tim Bowman, Mandi Buzard, Hannah Callaway, Laura Conyers, James Kennedy, Melissa Medlin, Angela Newton, Sandie Pegues, Phillip Perry, Natascha Romeo, Karina Ryan, Elizabeth White.

Community Service:The Great American Clean Up and Creek Week are both happening the week of April 9 (which is also the Week of Giving).

Announcements

April is Sexual Assault Awareness month.

New UNC President Margaret Spellings will visit campus on April 29. Jim DeCristo is developing her schedule for the day, which will include meeting with staff representatives.

Minutes recorded by Lauren Whitaker